Air Fryers And Battered Fish: A Tasty Combination?

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep frying, offering a healthier way to enjoy crispy fish without the grease. But can you use an air fryer to fry battered fish? The short answer is yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to remove excess moisture from the fish before coating it in batter, as this can affect the crispiness of the final product. Secondly, the type of batter used matters. A wet batter may not work as well in an air fryer because it has nothing to cling to, so a double-dipping method is often recommended. Finally, coating the battered fish in oil before placing it in the air fryer is crucial, as this helps the batter crisp up. With these tips in mind, you can enjoy delicious, crispy, air-fried battered fish without the mess and calories of traditional deep frying.

Air fryer fish recipes

Air fryers are a great way to cook fish, and you can even cook battered fish in them! Here are some recipes to try:

Air Fryer Beer-Battered Fish

This recipe uses a light wheat beer to create a delicious, crispy batter. The fish is flaky and buttery and is best served with tartar sauce and slaw.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh cod, cut into 4 fillets
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 12 ounces beer
• Pickled onions, for serving
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Tartar sauce
• Pinch of salt and pepper
• 4 cups shredded green cabbage
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher salt and pepper

Method:

Pat the fish dry with paper towels. Place 1 cup of flour in a bowl and add a pinch of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Stir to mix. In another bowl, whisk together the remaining flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour in the beer and whisk until a smooth batter forms. Dip each piece of fish into the batter, then into the seasoned flour. Spray the air fryer basket with oil and heat the air fryer to 380°F. Place the fish in the basket and spray with more oil. Set the timer for 12 minutes, checking once or twice to ensure the batter doesn't dry out. Serve with tartar sauce and slaw, with lemon wedges on the side.

Air Fryer Fish and Chips

A crunchy cornflake coating makes this air-fried fish taste like it's been deep-fried. Serve with tartar sauce and crispy, seasoned fries.

Air Fryer Fish Tacos

Tilapia is one of the best fish for frying tacos, but you can also use cod or catfish.

Air Fryer Salmon

Salmon in the air fryer stays succulent but gets lightly browned on the outside. This simple recipe is a great starting point for different flavors and styles.

Air Fryer Salmon Patties

Using canned salmon makes this a super-quick and budget-friendly weeknight dinner. Serve with roasted vegetables or as a burger topped with garlic aioli, lettuce, and tomato.

Air Fryer Cod

Instead of breading the cod, marinate it in Italian dressing and add some seasonings before popping it in the air fryer. It's healthy and delicious!

Air Fryer Tuna Burgers

Tuna works really well in patty form. Use a pouch of tuna or cook fresh tuna steaks and grind the meat yourself.

Air Fryer Parmesan Cod

This recipe will change the way you eat fish! The cod is crispy and golden on the outside and flaky and tender on the inside.

Air Fryer Fish Fillets

This recipe works with any kind of fish fillets, including cod, tilapia, catfish, pollock, hake, haddock, or salmon. The fish is coated in a breadcrumb and spice mixture, then cooked in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes. Serve with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.

Air fryer vs deep frying

Air fryers have become a popular alternative to deep frying, offering a healthier way to enjoy crispy, fried foods without the need for large amounts of oil. But how do they compare when it comes to frying battered fish?

Air fryers use convection heat, or hot air, to cook food. A heating element and a fan circulate hot air around the food, creating a crispy exterior similar to that of deep-fried foods. This method of cooking requires little to no oil, making it a healthier option.

Yes, you can fry battered fish in an air fryer. However, it's important to note that the batter may not adhere to the fish as well as it would with deep frying. The key to success is to coat the fish with a light spray of oil before placing it in the air fryer. This helps the batter crisp up and turn golden brown.

Advantages of using an air fryer for battered fish:

• Healthier option: Air fryers require little to no oil, reducing the amount of fat and calories in your food compared to deep frying.
• Less mess: Deep frying can be a messy process, with hot oil splattering and the potential for oil to spill. Air fryers contain the cooking process within the appliance, resulting in less mess.
• No oil smell: Deep frying can leave a lingering oil smell in your kitchen. Air fryers do not use large amounts of oil, so there is no strong oil odour during or after cooking.
• Quick and convenient: Air fryers often have shorter cooking times than traditional ovens, making them a quick and convenient option for preparing battered fish.

Potential drawbacks of using an air fryer for battered fish:

• Smaller capacity: Air fryers typically have smaller baskets compared to deep frying pots or pans, which may require cooking in batches if preparing food for a larger group.
• Not as crispy: While air fryers can achieve a crispy exterior, the results may not be as crispy as traditional deep-fried fish.
• Wet batter may not work: Some types of wet batter may not work well in an air fryer, as the batter may drip off the food before cooking. It is recommended to use a dry coating or a thicker batter that will adhere to the fish.

Air fryer vs oven

Air fryers and ovens are both used for cooking food, but they have some key differences.

Firstly, air fryers are countertop appliances, while ovens are usually full-sized appliances. This means that air fryers typically cook one dish at a time, while ovens can handle multiple dishes or larger portions.

Secondly, air fryers circulate heated air to cook and crisp up food, while conventional ovens use still air. Ovens are better for baking delicate items and recipes that call for liquid batters. Air fryers, on the other hand, are ideal for creating crispy textures on foods like chicken wings, bacon, salmon, and zucchini fries.

Another difference is that air fryers use a perforated basket to expose all sides of the food to the hot air, resulting in an all-around crispy finish. Ovens, on the other hand, use trays or racks that may require food to be flipped or rotated for even cooking.

In terms of cooking time, air fryers are generally faster than ovens. They also don't heat up the surrounding area as much as ovens do, which can be a significant advantage, especially in warmer climates.

When it comes to cooking battered fish, air fryers can be used to cook frozen battered fish to perfection, with a crispy texture. However, making battered fish from scratch may not work as well in an air fryer and could make a mess.

Overall, both air fryers and ovens have their pros and cons. Air fryers are convenient for small portions and creating crispy textures, while ovens are more suitable for larger quantities and delicate baking.

Air fryer frozen battered fish

Air fryers are great for cooking frozen battered fish to perfection. The batter cooks to a crispy texture, and the fish is hot and delicious.

For the best results, choose your favourite brand of frozen battered fish. The type of batter does not make a huge difference, but beer batter or tempura are popular choices. The type of fish will also impact the flavour; white fish fillets are a common choice.

It's recommended to lightly coat the fish with oil using a cooking spray. As a guide, one piece of fish per person is a good starting point, but you may need to adjust the quantities depending on the size of the fish and the appetites of your guests.

It's best to avoid making battered fish from scratch in the air fryer, as it can be messy and may not cook well. Frozen, battered fish is a better option and will deliver crispy, tasty results.

Serving Suggestions

• Thick-cut chips and a couple of slices of lemon.
• Other potato dishes such as French fries, Tater Tots, or scalloped potatoes.
• A refreshing coleslaw salad, either homemade or store-bought.
• Potato salad.
• Condiments like tartar sauce, seafood sauce, garlic aioli, or regular mayonnaise.
• A simple fish burger with tartar sauce, cheese, and a brioche bun.

Cooking Instructions

• Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F). This should take about five minutes.
• Add the battered fish to the air fryer basket and lightly spray with oil.
• Cook for around 12 minutes, or until lightly browned. Flip the fish halfway through the cooking time.
• Use a meat thermometer to check if the fish is fully cooked. The internal temperature should be at least 63°C (145°F). You can also refer to the product box for temperature guidance.
• Note that the oil is optional but helps the batter become crisp.
• Adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your fish fillets. For larger or smaller pieces, check the fish at the eight-minute mark and then every four minutes after that.
• Avoid overloading the air fryer to prevent inconsistent cooking and soggy batter. Cook the fish in a single layer, and in batches if necessary.

Enjoy your perfectly cooked, crispy, and hot air fryer frozen battered fish!

Air fryer battered fish cooking times and temperatures

Yes, you can cook battered fish in an air fryer. However, it is important to note that the type of batter used can make a difference. Wet" batters, such as beer batter, can be tricky to work with in an air fryer because there is no hot oil for the batter to cling to. This can cause the batter to drip off the fish and onto the bottom of the air fryer basket.

To successfully cook battered fish in an air fryer, it is recommended to use a crumbed or dry coating, such as flour or breadcrumbs, which will help the batter stay on the fish. Here is a general guide for cooking battered fish in an air fryer:

Cooking Times and Temperatures:

• Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. The exact temperature will depend on your air fryer model and the thickness of your fish fillets.
• Cook the battered fish for 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets and the model of your air fryer.
• For even cooking, it is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space between each piece of fish and cook in batches if necessary.
• Flip the fish halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
• Check the fish for doneness after 10 minutes and continue cooking in 2-minute intervals until it is cooked to your liking.
• Use a meat thermometer to check if the fish is fully cooked. The internal temperature should reach at least 145°F.
• For best results, lightly coat the fish with oil using a cooking spray before placing it in the air fryer. This will help the batter get crispy.

Recipe for Air Fryer Beer-Battered Fish:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh cod, cut into 4 fillets
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 12 ounces of your favorite beer (preferably light wheat beer)
• Pickled onions, for serving
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Tartar sauce, for serving
• 4 cups shredded green cabbage
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

• Pat the fish dry with paper towels.
• Prepare two bowls for dredging. In the first bowl, combine 1 cup of flour with a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix.
• In the second bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 cup of flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Slowly pour in the beer and whisk until a smooth batter forms.
• Dip each piece of fish into the beer batter, ensuring it is completely coated. Then, dip it into the seasoned flour and gently press the flour to adhere. Repeat this process with the remaining fish fillets.
• Spray the air fryer basket generously with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil spray.
• Set the air fryer temperature to 380°F.
• Place the fish fillets in the basket and spray them all over with cooking spray or olive oil spray.
• Set the timer for 12 minutes. Check the fish once or twice during cooking and spray again if needed to prevent the batter from drying out.
• While the fish is cooking, prepare your tartar sauce and slaw by combining the cabbage, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Gently remove the fish from the air fryer and serve with the tartar sauce, slaw, pickled onions, and lemon wedges.

Frequently asked questions